The small details that cost the Queensland Reds
The Queensland Reds put up a brave fight and almost came away with a win over the Hurricanes, going down 38-34.
They never gave up and managed to get back in the game every time that it looked like slipping away. At times they made some brilliant decisions, and at other times they made some mind-numbingly stupid ones. It’s the lack of fundamental rugby ‘smarts’ that continually cost the Reds, and we only have to look four minutes to find one that costs them 7 points.
Here, camped deep in their own half the Reds setup to exit with a clearing kick directly after winning a turnover.
The Reds forwards don’t seem to be aware of where their kicker is, setting up on the other side. Jono Lance calls for Duncan Paia’aua to take the kick as he can’t from behind the posts. The forwards don’t hear the call and the Reds give the Hurricanes an invitation to cause chaos. Paia’aua, with no protection, doesn’t think about giving himself more room to kick.
The ensuing charge down forces Jono Lance to clean up the loose ball. He is tackled in-goal and gives the Hurricanes a 5-metre scrum.
The Reds manage to hold up debutant Peter Umaga-Jensen over the line on the first scrum move, giving the Hurricanes another midfield scrum.
We covered this exact situation in depth in the pre-season here – how the Hurricanes expose sliding defences by getting Beauden Barrett matched up with a halfback one-on-one.
By stacking three defenders on the blind side to cover two backs, the Reds defensive setup guarantees that Beauden Barrett will get the ball. The Hurricanes have been given a 4-on-3 overlap to the open side with BEN LAM, the best finisher in Super Rugby, left open unmarked.
To cover the open side overlap, the Reds are going to try and use a sliding defence with the halfback Ben Lucas defending off base to take Barrett. However, the Reds could cover every player man-for-man as their fullback Hamish Stewart has to defend on the try line. They have no need to put an extra defender (Jono Lance) on the blind slide in this situation.
Why give the Hurricanes a guaranteed overlap on the open side to exploit? Playing man-on-man forces them to create an overlap first. At least make them work for it.
Lucas confirms with Kerevi one last time they are actually going to try and slide out to defend the overlap, giving Barrett an open look at the try line with no body-on-body defender.
The chances of covering Barrett less than ten metres out with this strategy must be extremely close to zero percent. TJ Perenara just needs to hold Lucas up an inch and Barrett will be able to score in his attempted sliding tackle. He doesn’t need to burn him completely, basically just get level with him on the outside and momentum will take him over. With Kerevi drifting, this hole should stay as wide as it looks above.
As Perenara feeds the scrum, he calls for “runners, runners, runners”, a play change on the fly that calls for the backs to just find a hole. Perenara will become the playmaker and Barrett and everyone else will run lines in gaps and he will pick one.
As the play unfolds Kerevi senses the danger posed by Barrett’s line and breaks protocol immediately, flying in to shut down Barrett while Lucas stays on his original assignment. TJ Perenara could potentially dummy and go himself or hit Umaga-Jensen long for a walk-in try. He probably takes the more difficult option now that Barrett has two closing in on him.
Barrett senses Kerevi in his peripheral vision and expertly adjusts his line, bouncing out at the same time Perenara releases his pass. Kerevi is caught out and ends up impeding Lucas slightly from making a genuine tackle attempt, a comical misjudgment.
Barrett is nearly held up over the line but manages to reach out and score.
The frustrating thing is it’s self-imposed sabotage– stacking the odds against yourself through ill-thought-out planning and preparation. In two poor plays, the Reds conceded seven points and ended up losing the game by four. There are plenty of instances that you can look back on during a game and fix purely through better strategic preparation.
It does make you question what actually happens when Australian teams review their performances on a Monday. If they can improve the small details, it won’t be 40 losses before their next win against a New Zealand side.
Comments on RugbyPass
Blackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
9 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
9 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
9 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
9 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
9 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
9 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
9 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
9 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to comments